
When most individuals consider Omega and its numerous partnerships, it’s the Olympics, moon touchdown, and James Bond that first come to thoughts, though the model has additionally been a supporter of the Emirates Workforce New Zealand (ETNZ) crusing workforce since 1995. Over time, Omega has produced a lot of completely different timepieces devoted to the championship-winning regatta squad, and to mark the upcoming thirty seventh America’s Cup in Barcelona subsequent 12 months, the place Emirates Workforce New Zealand will likely be defending its title, Omega has launched a brand new ETNZ version regatta chronograph. Formally generally known as the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Deep Black ETNZ Version, the brand new timepiece includes a black ceramic case and a colorway impressed by the emblem that seems on Emirates Workforce New Zealand’s sails.
At a fast look, the brand new Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Deep Black ETNZ Version (reference 215.92.46.51.01.003) is basically a regatta-oriented model of the usual Planet Ocean Deep Black Chronograph, which signifies that it’s crafted from brushed black zirconium oxide ceramic, and it measures 45.5mm in diameter by 19mm thick, with 22mm lugs and an total lug-to-lug profile of 52.4mm. Other than the up to date colorway, the exterior design and development of the watch are largely the identical as its standard-production sibling, with a domed anti-reflective sapphire crystal fitted to the highest of the case that’s surrounded by a unidirectional rotating timing bezel fitted with a black ceramic insert.
Just like different Planet Ocean chronographs, a operated by hand helium escape valve stands out from the aspect of the case at 10 o’clock, whereas a screw-down crown resides at its ordinary place of three o’clock, and although the turquoise-accented pushers don’t screw right down to the case, they do supply dynamic water resistance, which permits customers to function them whereas submerged to take full benefit of the watch’s more-than-generous 600-meter depth score. In the meantime, the reverse aspect of the watch is closed up with a strong caseback that options the Emirates Workforce New Zealand brand, and the caseback construction incorporates the model’s NAIAD Lock design to make sure that the emblem all the time stays correctly aligned.
Along with embracing the identical black and turquoise colorway that defines the remainder of the watch, the matte black ceramic dial of latest Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Deep Black ETNZ Version additionally swaps out the usual elapsed time counter at 3 o’clock for a regatta countdown indicator to facilitate the method of timing the beginning of races. The remainder of the dial follows within the footsteps of different Planet Ocean Chronograph fashions, and it options massive arrow-shaped fingers, a operating seconds register at 9 o’clock, and a date window on the 6 o’clock place that includes a barely trapezoid-shaped profile to enhance the tapered silhouettes of the hour markers. Tremendous-LumiNova accents on the fingers and indices assist help low-light visibility, and the centrally mounted chronograph seconds hand includes a counterweight that’s formed just like the well-known America’s Cup trophy.
Powering the brand new Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Deep Black ETNZ Version is identical Co-Axial Caliber 9900 automated motion that may be discovered inside the opposite chronograph fashions from the present Planet Ocean lineup. Working at a frequency of 28,800vph (4 Hz) with an influence reserve of roughly 60 hours, the Omega Cal. 9900 is a column wheel-controlled chronograph, and whereas the motion itself is a comparatively identified amount by this cut-off date, it is usually considered a reasonably strong and competent design. As certainly one of Omega’s METAS-certified “Grasp Chronometer” actions, the Cal. 9900 is assured to maintain time inside -0/+5 seconds per day (after casing), and it is usually completely immune to magnetic forces in extra of 15,000 gauss, because of its silicon stability spring and a lot of different antimagnetic parts used all through the development of the motion.
Fitted to the 22mm lugs of the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Deep Black ETNZ Version is a two-piece strap that’s constructed from turquoise-colored rubber and completed with a black textile materials on its outer floor, together with matching turquoise distinction stitching. Other than its new colorway, the precise development of the strap is equivalent to what may be discovered on the usual Planet Ocean Deep Black Chronograph, and it’s accomplished by a deployant-style folding clasp produced from black ceramic. Moreover, whereas this black and turquoise rubber strap is the first choice for this mannequin, the press launch states that Omega can even offer the brand new Seamaster Planet Ocean Deep Black ETNZ Version with the choice of a full-turquoise rubber strap, together with two completely different NATO-style straps in complementary colours. That stated, whereas photographs of the all-turquoise strap are included among the many model’s press photographs, none of them present both of the 2 NATO choices, though it’s protected to imagine that they’ll possible be some mixture of both black, white, grey, or turquoise.
Just like the usual black ceramic model of the Planet Ocean Chronograph, the brand new Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Deep Black ETNZ Version ref. 215.92.46.51.01.003 comes at a premium in comparison with its siblings in both chrome steel or titanium, and the brand new mannequin is accompanied by an official retail value of $13,300 USD. With that in thoughts, this represents solely a $500 enhance in value in comparison with the common Deep Black Chronograph, which is kind of proper consistent with the premiums that accompany different special-edition Omega watches. Whereas I think about that almost all examples will likely be bought by followers of Emirates Workforce New Zealand, the truth that the workforce’s brand solely seems on the caseback signifies that collectors also can take pleasure in this look ahead to its putting look and novel colorway, even when they don’t have a specific affinity for the championship-winning New Zealand regatta squadron. For extra data on the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Deep Black ETNZ Version, please go to the brand’s website.